POLITICS
Reps Speakership: Betara Intensifies Talks in Saudi Arabia
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
One of the lead Aspirants for the 10th House of Representatives Speakership, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, has assured all Members-elect across party lines of his resolve to carry everyone along if elected.
Betara who is the incumbent Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, gave the assurance during the expanded consultation with various leaders and members of State Caucuses during the Lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting was attended by returning and newly elected National Assembly members from Adamawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Gombe, Jigawa and Bauchi States, respectively.
The House Appropriation Committee Chairman who is currently in the holy land to perform the lesser Hajj (Umrah) ahead of the completion of the Ramadan Fast is using the opportunity to meet and consult members-elect to advance his campaign
Photographs sighted showed the Borno-lawmaker meeting and interacting with fellow lawmakers at his apartment in the holy city of Makkah on Monday evening.
Some of the Members-elect who attended the meeting pledged unflinching support for Hon. Betara, applauded his leadership quality and support provided over the years to his contemporaries irrespective of religious, ethnic and party affiliation.
One of the lawmakers who spoke after the meeting said: “We are here on solidarity support for our Leader and esteemed Colleague for heeding to the clarion call to provide quality leadership.
“We are all aware of the significant roles played by Rt. Honourable Muktar Aliyu Betara played in the emergence of successive Speakers and Principal Officers in the current and successive Assemblies.
“Most of us are also aware of his resolve to shelve his ambitions of becoming the Speaker in the previous Assemblies and as a loyal party-man aligned with the Party’s zoning arrangement.
“For those in the know of how things panned out in the outgoing Assembly, I can tell you for free that Honourable Betara played significant role in averting serious crises althrough, which helped in stabilizing this Assembly.
“But as human beings, we are not too surprised what is playing out now. As you can see, so many of them forget so soon.
“Let me ask you this question, have you ever seen Honourable Betara bully any of his Colleagues either as the Chairman of Defence or Appropriations? But all we are asking for is that the Members-elect should be allowed to exercise their franchise as provided by the Standing Order and relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“For us as a formidable Team and Caucuses, we have all it takes to rally required support for Honourable Betara and of the assurance that whatever plays out will be in his favour insha Allah during the inauguration of the 10th Assembly,” he assured.
The lawmakers who are expected to be sworn-in in June, 2023 acknowledged the high sense of humility demonstrated by Hon. Betara whom they described as an Achiever, Bridge-builder, unifying factor, Team Player, Detribalised Leader of uncommon virtues and Role Model.
They maintained that Hon. Betara remains the most popular Aspirant in the the Speakership race, given his generous disposition and responsiveness to members’ welfare, hence the resolve of making the returning and newly elected to support his ambition.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has demanded a retraction of election rigging allegation made against him by the chairperson of Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Aziegbemi.
Aziegbemi had in a statement on Sept. 14, accused the Federal Government of planning to rig the upcoming Edo Governorship Election, using Ribadu and the Department of State Service (DSS).
He claimed that Ribadu had released 2 million U.
S Dollars to the APC governorship candidate in the election as part of the plot.In reaction to the allegation, Ribadu’s lawyers, Charles Musa & Co, described the allegation as “totally false” and demanded immediate retraction.
“We write on behalf of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (our Client), in response to your press statement titled “Edo 2024: presidency’s move to interfere, manipulate guber poll using DSS, NSA uncovered.”
“The publication falsely alleges, inter alia, that, “$2 million was ordered to be released to the APC candidate by the NSA to buy votes and bribe security agencies,” the letter said.
The lawyers said the malicious and libelous statement had brought their client into public disdain and odium.
According to them, the portrayal of their client as a corruption enabler and his office as an appendage of a political party willing to cause chaos in Edo, is entirely false and damaging to his reputation.
“As a renowned career police officer and pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), our Client has consistently demonstrated integrity and a commitment to fighting corruption.
“It is inconceivable that he would be involved in such odious acts.
“Given the extensive damage your false and baseless allegations have caused our client, we demand a written apology to our Client and a full retraction of the publication in its entirety.
“We also demand a publication of the retraction in a full-page advertorial in at least five nationwide newspapers; 10 reputable and well-read online news sites; seven national and international television stations, and 10 radio channels with national and international reach,” they said.
The lawyers also demanded payment of N10 billion as damages for reputational and other injuries.
“Take notice that if our demands are not met within seven days, we shall proceed with our Client’s further instructions, including taking legal action to enforce his rights,” they added. (NAN)
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has described the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State as a true representation of the aspirations of the people of the state, promising to use his contacts and cultural ties with the people of Edo State to ensure the victory of the party and its candidate in the Edo governorship election.
Ododo made the declaration at the APC youth rally in Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area at the weekend.
The Kogi State Governor who was received by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Phillip Shaibu promised to galvanize support among the large population of youth and women in the area for the victory of the APC candidate in the September 21 governorship election.
He appealed to the people of Akoko-Edo to shun all acts of violence but to resist intimidation by defending their votes for the APC in the election.
He assured the people that the APC Governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo will replicate the outstanding performance of the past APC leadership in the state led by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, stressing that the APC and its governorship candidate will deliver on their campaign promises by according topmost priority to the welfare of the people as currently being exemplified in Kogi State under his leadership.
Ododo who spoke in English and Ebira languages commended the people of Akoko-Edo for their peaceful conduct in the course of the campaign and assured that their support will be rewarded by the APC and its governorship candidate once the party emerges victorious in the September 21 governorship election.
Ododo has since arrived in Benin City, the Edo state capital ahead of the grand finale of the APC governorship campaign rally on Saturday where he is expected to address the rally along with other leaders of the party in the final push for the party’s victory in the Edo state governorship election.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Niger state governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed profound sadness over the death of Joseph Haruna Duza, the member representing Munya State Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Security and Intelligence.
In a condolence message statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Bago described the passing of the lawmaker as both shocking and a significant loss, not only to the people of Munya but to the entire state.
Bago highlighted Duza’s invaluable contributions and active role in combating insecurity within the state, as well as his unwavering dedication to its growth and development.
The Governor emphasised that only God can fill the void left by Duza’s demise.
Bago extended his heartfelt condolences to the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barr. AbdulMalik Sarkin Daji, other members of the 10th State Assembly, the immediate and extended family of the deceased, and the people of Munya Local Government.
He urged them to accept Duza’s death as an act of God.
Bago prayed for the repose of Duza’s soul and for comfort for all those affected by this loss.
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